Checker-board.



PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

J. S. FORD. GHEGKER BOARD.

OATION JAMES STORY FORD, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

CHE GKER-BOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed March 18. 1907. Serial No. 362.905.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES STORY FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Im rovements in Checker-Boards; and I do dec are the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved game board.

The object of the invention is to provide a checker board so divided that three or more may play the game and the men of each layer may be moved in opposite directions from a given point.

In the drawing,-Figure 1 represents a plan view of the board with the men or pieces arranged thereon ready to start a four-handed game; and Fig. 2 represents a modified form thereof.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the board is made in octagonal shape and divided by heavy lines 2 into four sections. These lines 2 divide the home territory 3 of each player into half and are preferably drawn through the middle of one of the straight sides of the octagon, the men 10 being placed on either side of said lines. The home territory 3 of each player is bounded by double lines 4. drawn from the corners of theoctagon towards the center. The spaces 5 between the double lines 4 alternate with the home territories 3 of the players and indicate the fields in which the players may move their men.

The board is divided'by radial and concentric lines into alternate spaces or blocks preferably colored black and white. As shown, twelve checkers as 10 are used by each player, six being arranged on the right of the heavy lines 2 and six on the left. A player in every move he makes with a man shall move away from his heavy line 2 which divides his home territory, either to the right or to the left as he desires, but he must never cross his heavy line or move towards it with a common man. The double lines are not barriers to any move, they simply divide the board into suitable zones; neither are the heavy lines 2 barriers to the plays of opponents. I

The board is shown with the checkers 10 arranged ready to start a four-handed game, and the various groups are marked A, B, C, and D. The player operating the group A may start in a right handed manner to meet the forces of player of group B, or in a left handed manner to meet the forces of player of group D, at his option moving in either direction one play at a time as in ordinary checkers. Passing through his opponents territory, either B or D, he advances his men to the territory of his partner, player of.

group Q. As soon as he passes a double line bounding the territory, either B or D, he advances his men to the territory of his partner, player of group C. As soon as he passes a double line bounding the territory of player 0 his man is crowned a king which he may move back and forth in either direction in the same manner as in ordinary checkers, and with a king he can cross the heavy line 2 dividing his home territory. The checkers or men are colored diiferently for the use of each player.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, the board is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that the spaces between the double lines 4 instead of being equal are shown unequal and I having two sets of spaces between the radial lines instead of three, as shown in Fig. 1.

I claim as my invention,-

1. A checker board divided by radial and concentric lines into radial and concentric rows of spaces, the spaces of each row alternating in color, means dividing such board into sections and designed to indicate the dividing line of a players home territory, means arranged on either side of said dividing means and spaced therefrom to bound and limit the home territory of each player and to provide fields for the different players.

2. A checker board divided by radial and concentric lines into radial and concentric rows of spaces, the spaces of each row alternating in color, said board being divided by heavy lines into a plurality of sections, each line indicating the dividing line of a players home territory, and double lines bounding said home territories forming playing fields l dividing four of said spaces through their- 10 betWeen the home territories.

3. An octagonal checker board divided by radial and concentric lines into radial and concentric rows of spaces, the spaces of each row alternating in color, said board. having double lines running from the corners thereof towards the center and dividing the board in eight parts or spaces, and heavy lines middle. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES STORY FORD. Witnesses:

MARVIN O. REYNOLDS, R. H. ELLING. 

